A cavalry charge of 32 runners across the course at Royal Ascot takes some solving, but living dangerously is all part of life for punters - and tipsters - which is why I'm napping a North Yorkshire-trained horse in such a race on Wednesday.

Zero Tolerance, trained near Thirsk by David Barron and the mount of Kevin Darley, is my choice for the Royal Hunt Cup at odds of around 16-1.

Crucially well drawn in stall one, close to the stands rail, Zero Tolerance has had just two races this season, winning at Haydock in the first of them and finishing an unlucky fourth in the other, the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar a couple of weeks ago.

Denied a clear run in the final two furlongs of that contest, Zero Tolerance was only beaten in a blanket finish in a race won by Blue Spinnaker and had to be regarded as an unlucky loser.

A horse with winning form over tomorrow's distance of a mile, with the stamina to stay further, Zero Tolerance has plenty going for him tomorrow.

Admittedly, with 31 rivals, including Kevin Ryan's revitalized Uhoomagoo and Tim Easterby's recent Beverley winner Flighty Fellow, there are abundant dangers. But, at 16-1, Zero Tolerance is well worth chancing.

Crimson Palace, a winner at York last month, is the choice of Frankie Dettori in the Windsor Forest Stakes, which has attracted a field of 11 runners.

Dettori could have opted for stablemate Gonfilia, winner of her last two starts. But he is sticking with Crimson Palace, a former top performer in South Africa, who had threequarters of a length to spare in the Middleton Stakes on Knavesmire.

The £350,000 Prince of Wales's Stakes is tomorrow's principal event and a crackerjack of a race is promised, with Bandari and Ikhytar renewing rivalry after their closely-fought finish at Sandown last time, Aidan O'Brien's Powerscourt, responsible for a recent comeback victory, and top-class colts Rakti, Phoenix Reach and Sulamani making their seasonal debuts.

My vote goes to Powerscourt, who jockey Jamie Spencer considers to be his best ride of the week at Royal Ascot.

Auditorium, not far off the best last season, is my fancy to bounce back to winning form in the Jersey Stakes for the Derby-winning combination of Sir Michael Stoute and Kieren Fallon, while Sharplaw Star gets my vote, despite a poor draw, in the Queen Mary Stakes.

The William Haggas-trained juvenile created a big impression when winning on her debut at Leicester and looks a very useful sprinter in the making. Being drawn 17 of 17 may not help her cause, but she should not be dismissed lightly.

The step up a mile in the Sandringham Handicap should suit Coy, who went down fighting over seven furlongs at Leicester last time. She can be another winner for Kieren Fallon, widely tipped to be top jockey at the meeting.

At Ripon's evening fixture, Bo McGinty, who was denied a shot at last Saturday's William Hill Trophy at York after just failing to make the cut, can gain handsome compensation by lifting the £14,000 Norman Wells Memorial Challenge Trophy.

There is a doubt about Vinnie Roe running in Thursday's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot due to a muscle problem and the quick ground at the track. The six-year-old finished second to Royal Rebel in the race two years ago. Trainer Dermot Weld said the situation will be reviewed tomorrow.

Wednesday's tips:

Royal Ascot

2.30 Auditorium, 3.05 Crimson Palace, 3.45 Powerscourt, 4.20 Zero Tolerance (Nap), 4.55 Sharplaw Star, 5.30 Coy.

Ripon

6.50 Queen Of Night, 7.20 Pike Bishop, 7.50 Bo McGinty, 8.20 Trouble Mountain, 8.50 Force Of Nature, 9.20 Kentucky Express.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Hamilton (afternoon, Flat), Southwell (afternoon, Flat) and Worcester (evening, National Hunt).

Updated: 12:48 Tuesday, June 15, 2004